[thelist] Business/Payment Question........

[Erik Mattheis]

>  > From: Erik Mattheis <gozz at gozz.com>
>>
>>  >that client will walk when someone comes along who can
>>  >offer the immediate service they want...
>>
>>  Hell, if a client "walks" because you're down on them for not paying,
>>  so be it ... warn the next victim if you can.
>
>that wasn't my argument at all... if you have a client for web work,
>and you *cannot* or *will not* provide same day service when they
>request it, then they'll look elsewhere...
>
>the context of the post was that this client *does* expect it, and
>creating a billing arrangement that still allows this *and* protects
>the developer (while benefitting the client) is always worth looking
>at...

I thought about writing "in the context of this post" but didn't ... 
agreed, giving a discounted rate can build client rapport - BUT if 
anything, a more appropriate response to a client needing immediate 
updates would be a surcharge, not a discounted rate ... the more so 
if the client is slow in paying. I mark my development updates 
payable upon receipt and won't send a reminder for one month ... but 
it seems that this is an ongoing problem for Sandy - it doesn't seem 
that the client values her/his work - taking down the site would be a 
poignant motivation for the client to give some needed respect.

I guess my main point is that largely, people treat you as you you 
expect them to. And not taking decisive action in response to non 
payment sends the signal that it's ok to be lax in cutting the check.

>that's one way to do it... i base my approach on the client... those
>who don't pay don't get their work until they pay (final product),
>those who do pay get their work ahead of payment... any one
>approach (always hand it over, or always hold it) won't handle all
>clients, and trying to fit all clients into the model won't do anyone
>any favors in the long run...

Well, it seems like we're on the same page ... clients are different 
... the client Sandy speaks of is troublesome ... I was just 
encouraging her (him?) (are you a her or him?) (does it matter?) (am 
I being to sensitive to feminists who object to the use of "him" when 
referring to someone of an indeterminate sex?) (should I just use 
"they" instead as is suggested by some influential linguists?) ... to 
take down the site if the non payment was unbearable. The goal of the 
post is to find suggestions for ways to get paid ... and accepting 
partial payment is really selling yourself short ... the ability to 
take down the site is some powerful ammo that should be used when 
appropriate. And if this issue is important enough to post here, I 
say do it.

>  > This is something I've seen before in independent designers ... it's a
>>  trap to think clients are so precious that you can't stand up for
>>  yourself ... your clients are likely more business savvy than you so
>>  you have to remind yourself that a client that doesn't pay is in
>>  almost all cases no better than a blank slot in your client list.
>>
>>  Leave the working for nothing thing to musicians.
>
>um, is this a response to my post?  i'm not an independent, i run a
>firm... and my post suggested exactly the opposite of this... offer
>the client a deal on pre-payment -- saves them money, cuts out
>hassle of chasing down payment for you...

No, wasn't a response to your post, but the thread ... great if you 
offer a discount on prepayment, but myself, as an independent, the 
flow isn't great enough to make having less money this month better 
than more money next month. I think I remember that Sandy is 
independent or a hus/wife team.

>  > I'm now in a sucky situation where I am owed money for a project that
>>  was still in the "proof of concept" stage ... the only action I can
>>  take is telling them I'll delete the files on my hard drive and charge
>>  again for recreating them if they don't pay up ... and that's exactly
>>  what I'll do if the response to my third "I haven't received your
>>  check yet" email doesn't result in a situation that satisfies me. --
>
>deleting the files doesn't help you at all...  this is a case where
>prepayment is clearly a must... without knowing the situation,
>however, i wouldn't purport to know the right way to fix it...

Right ... no good way to fix it, thanks for the sympathy - the guy's 
excuse is that he has to put it on his investor's credit card and I 
don't take credit cards ... his first payment was in cash ... I don't 
buy the "investors credit card" thing - sent him an email earlier 
today suggesting he buy a money order with the card. If I delete the 
files what will I be out?

<tip type="[OT] Wild Wines">
I like unusual tasting wines. The two that have stood out in recent 
months are J. Lohr Merlot which tastes like goat cheese and Chateaux 
Trocard Boedeaux Superior which tastes like very very old library 
books ... or maybe clothing in a foot locker that hasn't been opened 
since 1930. Also, Louis Roederer champagne tastes like Tylenol. 
Mmmmmm good.
</tip>
-- 

__________________________________________
- Erik Mattheis

(612) 377 2272
http://goZz.com/

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